Utility Engagement

UE-1: Inform staff of best practices for integrating interconnection with electrical inspections.

5 points

We've done this!

We are interested in pursuing this action.

We have not done this.

Documentation

Please supply documentation to support this question. You can either upload a file or provide a link. Please indicate where in your documentation we should look to find the sections that are relevant to this question.

Method

Upload a File

Provide a Link

Upload a File

File name:

File size:

Provide a Link

Please include 'http://' or 'https://' at the beginning of your link.

Relevant Sections

Need help?

UE-1 Help

Utilities conduct their own inspections on solar PV systems before the system can be connected to the grid. To save time for both property owners and solar installers, utilities can be notified once a solar system has been permitted.

UE-2: Discuss community solar programs with the local utility. Compile summary and next steps in a memo.

10 points

We've done this!

We are interested in pursuing this action.

We have not done this.

Documentation

Please supply documentation to support this question. You can either upload a file or provide a link. Please indicate where in your documentation we should look to find the sections that are relevant to this question.

Method

Upload a File

Provide a Link

Upload a File

File name:

File size:

Provide a Link

Please include 'http://' or 'https://' at the beginning of your link.

Relevant Sections

Need help?

UE-2 Help

Community or shared solar is mechanism for community members who are unable to install solar on their home and business to benefit from renewable energy. Utilities are key to projects as community solar interfaces with utility grid and billing infrastructure.

UE-3a: Discuss community goals for solar PV, net metering, and/or interconnection processes with the local utility and explore areas for future collaboration. Compile summary and next steps in a memo.

10 points

We've done this!

We are interested in pursuing this action.

We have not done this.

Documentation

Please supply documentation to support this question. You can either upload a file or provide a link. Please indicate where in your documentation we should look to find the sections that are relevant to this question.

Method

Upload a File

Provide a Link

Upload a File

File name:

File size:

Provide a Link

Please include 'http://' or 'https://' at the beginning of your link.

Relevant Sections

UE-3b: Earn additional points: Coordinate with regional organization or other local governments to engage utilities.

5 points

We've done this!

We are interested in pursuing this action.

We have not done this.

Documentation

Please supply documentation to support this question. You can either upload a file or provide a link. Please indicate where in your documentation we should look to find the sections that are relevant to this question.

Method

Upload a File

Provide a Link

Upload a File

File name:

File size:

Provide a Link

Please include 'http://' or 'https://' at the beginning of your link.

Relevant Sections

Need help?

UE-3 Help

UE-3a Utilities can be partners in encouraging renewable energy development. Utilities could offer solar programs or incentives to complement local government goals, and also serve an important role in outreach.

UE-3b Collaboration with external partners can provide resources, expertise, and staffing support for cities to achieve ambitious energy transformation goals. Rather than individual municipalities making efforts alone, a collection of municipalities working together is more likely to have more leverage and influence on the utility. Networks of municipalities and utilities can provide opportunities to share best practices and common strategies through peer-to-peer learning. They can also help build coalitions and advocate for state policy.

UE-4: Demonstrate coordination between local government inspectors and utility staff to reduce Permission to Operate timeline.

20 points

We've done this!

We are interested in pursuing this action.

We have not done this.

Documentation

Please supply documentation to support this question. You can either upload a file or provide a link. Please indicate where in your documentation we should look to find the sections that are relevant to this question.

Method

Upload a File

Provide a Link

Upload a File

File name:

File size:

Provide a Link

Please include 'http://' or 'https://' at the beginning of your link.

Relevant Sections

Need help?

UE-4 Help

After reviewing utility interconnection procedures, local governments can work to consolidate inspections and coordinate with the timing of utility interconnection inspections. Reducing the number of inspection trips can save time and money for installers and property owners.

Please supply documentation to support this question. You can either upload a file or provide a link. Please indicate where in your documentation we should look to find the sections that are relevant to this question.

Method

Upload a File

Provide a Link

Upload a File

File name:

File size:

Provide a Link

Please include 'http://' or 'https://' at the beginning of your link.

Relevant Sections

UE-5b: Encourage low-to-moderate income (LMI) participation in utility-provided community solar program through program design and/or financing support options.

10 points

We've done this!

We are interested in pursuing this action.

We have not done this.

Documentation

Please supply documentation to support this question. You can either upload a file or provide a link. Please indicate where in your documentation we should look to find the sections that are relevant to this question.

Method

Upload a File

Provide a Link

Upload a File

File name:

File size:

Provide a Link

Please include 'http://' or 'https://' at the beginning of your link.

Relevant Sections

Need Help?

UE-5 Help

UE-5a Community solar programs offer groups of residential customers to own or lease a portion of the project in exchange for economic benefits proportional to their share. These economic benefits are most commonly delivered in the form of electricity bill credits. As of 2017, investor-owned utilities had implemented 13 community owned solar programs nationally. Often to be successful, the program must engage and excite customers rather than just fitting into the utility’s normal business model.

UE-5b Utilities can offer solar programs for rooftop solar PV and community solar projects. These programs can provide a pathway for residents who would not normally be able to access or install solar PV on their home. Local governments can provide programmatic and outreach support to local utilities pursuing programs.

UE-6: Provide residents with Community Choice Aggregation/Energy that includes solar PV as a power generation source.

20 points

We've done this!

We are interested in pursuing this action.

We have not done this.

Documentation

Please supply documentation to support this question. You can either upload a file or provide a link. Please indicate where in your documentation we should look to find the sections that are relevant to this question.

Method

Upload a File

Provide a Link

Upload a File

File name:

File size:

Provide a Link

Please include 'http://' or 'https://' at the beginning of your link.

Relevant Sections

UE-Innovation Actions

Please describe your local innovation regarding utility engagement. Be sure to explain how this helps reduce soft cost of solar in your community. Innovative Actions may receive up to 20 points toward designation.(optional)

We've done this!

We are interested in pursuing this action.

We have not done this.

Documentation

Please supply documentation to support this question. You can either upload a file or provide a link. Please indicate where in your documentation we should look to find the sections that are relevant to this question.

Method

Upload a File

Provide a Link

Upload a File

File name:

File size:

Provide a Link

Please include 'http://' or 'https://' at the beginning of your link.

Please describe the local innovation action?

Utility Engagement Category Status

Mark this section as 'complete' when you have finished answering all the questions you intend to include in your application. This will note it as such in the section navigation. Don't worry, you can still return to update it if you want!